American way of life - Our Blessings!

Interestingly since living in Europe I've always been thankful for America and how we live. The spaciousness of our country, the ability to move around state to state without having to get papers or approval to do so. Our ability to have relative peace in our lives, free from dictator style oppression with mass murders because we disagree with a leader whether elected or not. No worries of a coup from the military or a rouge general regardless what Hollywood would make us believe. Basically, we are free to live, travel, explore or not and worship or not as we see fit. Sure there are safe guards built into our government through federal and state laws that provide for order and general safety for all. So that one person(s) cannot take unfair advantage of another person(s) without some type of justice that satisfies the Rule of Law! Is America perfect no! Can we accept that change has and will take place yes!

So why the diatribe above? This past week I attended a conference that was put on by our state law enforcement folks on issues that may and do affect us here in the US. What struck me as significant was having these experts who have lived in these foreign countries explain the history of why these trouble spots are so volatile and why we need to be aware of these areas of the world. When they explain that for many who live in these areas violence and starvation, age old hatreds created by well meaning people or governments or some times created by self serving and in I believe in some cases "Evil" people will never go away. No matter what we do as a nation or as a people. Many for these people have had conflict all of their lives. They understand what it means to truly survive day to day.

So this morning I commented to Grammy how fortunate we are that we don't live in Russia with the corruption that according to Business weekly tells of the issues IKEA is having with local regulators. She said doesn't it make you wonder how out of all of God's spirit children we were chosen to live in America. Then during Gospel Doctrine we talked about the Priesthood in D&C 84 and why those who accept the Priesthood have certain obligations to use it righteously for the blessings from Heavenly Father to take hold. So how do we that have this blessing in our lives come to have it. It's because we have been selected or "of the elect" of Heavenly Father to be here at this time. What an awesome responsibility and trust! Makes me wonder when the time comes to meet him again what will he ask us of the trust and the "Talents" he gave us while we lived in America. What good did we do while we had the opportunity? Did we say kind words to others? Were we nice to others? Etc.

I wonder?

The way it's been lately!

Back to work after the Fourth! It was a strange day. I couldn't get in the groove yet I pushed through as always. Last week Mamaw flew home with her new cell phone and she is enjoying having it. It should make it easier for the family to stay in touch with her. I drove to Casper in my truck with Sara and the kids in her car. The trip was to bring back the last of her furniture etc, the sale of the house fell through so she is in a hard way. I wish we could help her out but we are doing all we can to hold on as well. I stayed Thursday night and had dinner with Micah and we then went to see Transformers 2. Good movie, loved the military aircraft scenes especially the B-1 dropping ordinance, felt that in my back side. Micah like the Megan Fox scenes, I don't blame him. It just isn't right for someone to look that good and not be married to Micah. Yep, I'm pulling for a hottie for Micah. Gotta find a way to get that son of mine to SLC. I stayed the night and was gone at the crack of dawn. Grammy and I unloaded the trailer and paddle boats all by ourselves. Not bad for folks in our "later" years. Saturday Grammy had to work until midnight so Martha and I drove to the base and found a spot that must be fairly popular with the base folks as we were able to see the entire valley and fireworks from the base to SLC. Pretty cool. Sunday was different as it was just Grammy and I. No kids to watch after. We were able to hear every testimony.

Now on to something I promised Micah I would do. For the past few months Micah has been telling Grammy that he is learning that the commercial side of the economic downturn will be the next thing to hit. Then a month or so ago a short article from the Business Week magazine we get said the very same things. I can only hope that things will turn around but I will leave that discussion to Micah. I spent Thursday night with him showing me YouTube videos and talking about the economy. Yes, he educated his ol' man a bit. I'm grateful he is interested and wants to learn and track this stuff. I hope he can put it to use some day soon. Anyway I wanted to give Micah a chance to tell us all some of what he is learning. So here you go Micah explain away - educate us! Please respond to what he says if you are interested.

A day at the Beach

It's Saturday and before Grammy had to go to work this afternoon we took a drive south to Saltair. It used to be a famous place for folks to swim in its hey day. Apparently it has been rebuilt and after less than better years it is a seldom used place. We took Mamaw out so she could say she put her feet in the lake. It's the first time we have done this and it was a small walk out to the waters edge from the shore but we all made it. Mamaw had to stop a few times but she said it was worth it. Apparently it is quite shallow for a long ways (just above the ankle) out into the lake. Later we drove into SLC and got lunch and as we were driving around on State St. we saw a Greek restaurant and Grammy said "That looks good!", Chance answers and says "I don't eat Greek food, but I am a Greek God!" We all laughed pretty hard over that one.

What's next?

Well this has been an interesting week. I turned another year older and it was a nice week all in all. My family didn't forget me which was great! For fathers day I got a new radio for my office. I keep hearing about HD Radio and so I wanted one. Grammy and I found one at the BX and so we bought it (since it was the last one) then Grammy gave it to me on Fathers Day! I really like it. It's fairly small (12x6) and the sound is great. I can put my headphones in and my MP3 player if I want to. The cool thing is HD Radio works like this: normally there are radio channels out there and you only hear the those broadcasting i.e. 96.1 or 107.3 or whatever. HD Radio lets the broadcaster split the same band into two channels. The one you normally hear and another one that you can't hear unless you have an HD Radio. It looks like this: 96.1 1 and 96.1 2 or 107.3 1 and 107.3 2. It seems so far they are offering less commercials and more radio from what I hear. Nice thing is there is no subscription fee, you just have to buy the HD Radio. Mine cost less than $100. As for my birthday the family got me a Lowes gift card. That allowed me to buy a variable speed bench grinder that I've wanted for some time now. You should see me try to sharpen the mover blades with a drill and a grinding stone. I start by trying to hold down the blade with one foot while balancing with the other and grinding with both hands. Uncomfortable at best, slow and not very efficient either. Now for the what next part. Sara had a buyer for her house, but there were issues with the appraiser for the FHA loan. One apprasier said no problem with the floor the other said it had to be fixed. In the end the buyer backed out. We will still go and get everything moved but I'm nit sure what she can continue to do finacially. I think we will still go next week to get her stuff but I know she is really bummed out. I wish I could sell our other houses.

Webelos Camp

This was Chance's Webelos overnight campout. We went to Camp Kiesel which is in the mountains east of Eden UT. We had fun.

Entrance to Camp Kiesel

Chance and his camp buddy - Corbin Asay

Heading out - Dry!

Heading back in - Wet!

Check out that form!

Ol' Dead-eye

View from the top above camp. Who is that old man with all of those young guys!

View of hill we climbed on Saturday after the hike!

Actually, I'm grateful I made it to the top and back. I turn 53 next week and they had a part of the hike called Cardiac Hill! Well all I can say is it lived up to it's name.

Mamaw's Train Ride

We spent one evening this past week riding the FrontRunner to SLC. It was Mamaw's first train ride in many years and she had fun. We ate at Macaroni Grill downtown and then headed home. It was just me and Grammy, Mamaw, Sara and Martha. It was fun without kids, you know adult talk!

Monday with Mamaw

It's been great to have Mamaw here. We always enjoy having her visit. I know she misses all of her kids and grand and great grand kids. Luckily the weather today (Monday) turned out nice and sunny. I told her I would order some sun for her. She complained that WY had a lot of clouds and cooler weather. We ran Mamaw over to the mall and I got her a cell phone. It's a Utah number but as long as it is a Verizon to Verizon call its free. All of us boys and my family are all on Verizon so we are good. Now that may not be the case in Indiana. My Uncle John says he has Sprint so that's one down. With this last fall she had and the near misses she claims to been having in Indiana and all of her many doctor visits I felt it was time to get her one. So if you need her cell number call me. I finished up a project for the garden today for Grammy. I dug a hole on Saturday and put a landscaping pole (you know the red ones) at the corner of the garden. Then I put dry concrete around it and waited until to day to continue. The ground has been so wet with all the rain we have had it would pull the moisture from the ground around it. I lopped off the top just below the height of the spigot we had put in (about 4 feet) and then attached a hose reel. It looks great and keeps the hose off the grass. I really like it. Grammy is happy even though it was all my idea. Tomorrow we plan on taking her on the FrontRunner into SLC around dinner time so she can enjoy the ride and we will meet Sara and have dinner in the city. I'm enjoying the time off as I'm getting some projects done and enjoying being with my wife and mom. We will see what we do later this week. As always, "Be Nice!"

Mamaw's visit

Notice who is wearing a sweater and who has shorts on! What were they thinking!

Mamaw has arrived!

We are FREE (for two days)!

It is Friday night and Grammy and I are all alone. Sara is in Wyoming. Martha took Leo to see his dad and Chance and Triniti left a few days ago. All I can say is the house is quiet expect for two dogs and a cat running around. Grammy and I are off today and so we ran errands and worked in the yard. I've spent the last few hours on the computer while Grammy cleaned the boys room (Organized it) before Mamaw gets here on Sunday. I'm starting to get the hang of this web site stuff, but I'm a long way from being any kind of expert yet. So far our site hasn't made any money but that's OK since it is our first one. As we continue to do this we may actually pay for the software and Go Daddy costs. Now it past dinner time and I'm starving so I will shut this box down and spend some quality time with my best friend. Remember - Be Nice!

American Pride

Well, it has been a busy day. Today was Chance and Triniti's last day in school. I got up early (like I always do) and made French toast for them (my day off). They will leave for WY and other areas with their other grandparents tomorrow for about 2 weeks. Grammy and I took them to school once more. Then we ran some errands. I met up with 5 guys from work (I'd tell you more but that would give away what I do) and talked business for about 10 minutes and then Grammy & I picked up Martha and Leo. Leo needed another high and tight hairdo before he goes to be with his dad late next week. Then it was off to Panda Express for a quick lunch but Leo didn't like the chow mien noodles and so proceeded to throw up what he had in his mouth. Yes, he was gaging and everything. Then we had to pick up Chance and Triniti from school as they get out at 1:25pm. We pulled up to see the whole school, teachers a few parents standing around the flag pole with a group of ROTC kids in uniform lowering the American Flag. What a Great Idea! We watched has they saluted as the flag was lowered and after the ROTC kids folded the flag the entire school sang You're a Grand old Flag! It was awesome to see these children being taught respect for our nations flag. Now, let me preach a bit here. I'm very patriotic being a retired Air Force man. Please as we approach the 4th of July take the time to review proper flag etiquette. Remember to salute the flag when it passes or it is being raised or lowered. There are several helpful web sites that give great information. Also remember when you say the Pledge of Allegiance, take a moment to remember the men and women of our military who have done more than pledge their allegiance, they have sworn to give their lives in the protection of our way of life. Not because it is convenient but because they choose to lay down the most precious thing they have, if required, their life for what they believe in. I'm proud to have served, I'm more proud of my Father and uncles who have served in their time. I'm extremely proud of my wife who served along with me in our time. However allow me some understanding as I say how PROUD I am of my Son for serving honorably in his time. How he served in Iraq and made it safely home and how he wants to go back in the Army and continue what he knows best. How I wish my other son, Micah and one of my daughters, Martha would have served as well, unfortunately due to health concerns they could not. Yet as their father I know their hearts and understand how hard it was for them when they discovered they could not wear our countries uniform. Thank you all! I get emotional when I see these wonderful men and women performing in parades, in drill teams or other times when it reminds me how much I love my country that produces such fine people. Tomorrow is the Hill AFB Air Show. I can't wait to see the aircraft, the displays and of course the Thunderbirds perform. Life is good isn't it? Again, remember to be nice!